One of the most interesting questions facing the Flyers this week is what to do with the defensive pairings when Ryan Parent returns to the lineup. If you recall, the plan prior to Parent re-aggravating a groin pull, was to split up the pairing of Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn, put Parent with Timonen and place Coburn on the third pairing. The arrangement lasted less than one game due to Parent's reinjury.
Since that time, Coburn seems to have regained his form and the pairing with Timonen has looked like the type of duo the club expected to see coming into the season. Nevertheless, the third pairing remains a weak spot for Philadelphia and there was some question over what the coaching staff would do.
Not too surprisingly, Stevens has chosen to stay with what has been working lately. Coburn and Timonen practiced together as usual today, while Parent lined up with Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (who has fully participated in practice the last two days despite suffering a Grade 1 concussion in the game last Saturday). However, Parent will sit out one more game. Tollefsen is doubtful for tomorrow.
Apart from Simon Gagne, the Flyers had a full lineup of players in practice today. The combinations:
(Yellow) JVR - Carter - Briere
(Green) Hartnell - Richards - Giroux
(Orange) Carcillo - Betts - Laperriere
(Red) Pyorala - Powe - Asham
Extra forwards: Cote (orange), Laliberte (red)
Carle - Pronger
Coburn - Timonen
Syvret - Bartulis
Parent - Tollefsen
Emery/ Boucher
****
This week on Philadelphiaflyers.com, I am taking a look at the Flyers' quest to
improve on faceoffs this season. Last season, the Flyers finished 22nd overall in the 30-team NHL with a 48.3% winning percentage on faceoffs. Through the first 15 games of the 2009-10 regular season, the club has performed at roughly the same level, winning 48.5% of draws.
On NHL.com later this week, the staff and contributing writers will be doing a series of articles playing fantasy GM for the participating teams in the upcoming Olympics. I was assigned Team Belarus. In conjunction with the article, I devoted today's
Across the Pond to the resignation of former Washington Capitals bench boss Glen Hanlon from the Team Belarus head coaching position.
On Versus.com's
Daily Drop today, I took a look at the Pittsburgh Penguins' recent swoon.
*****
I was pleased and honored to be asked to speak at the annual Flyers Fan Club Q&A session at the SkateZone next Tuesday. I look forward to it.
Next Thursday, I will be a guest on Daily News Live on Comcast Sports Net to talk about the Flyers and the Pelle Lindbergh book.
I will be doing book signings for the Pelle book on the following dates:
December 4th 7 PM
Chester County Book Company
975 Paoli Pike
West Chester, PA 19380
610-616-1661
December 12th, 2pm
Barnes and Noble Booksellers
1553 Almonesson Road
Deptford, NJ 08096
856-232-3123
December 13th, 1 PM
Barnes and Noble Booksellers
2300 Chemical Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
610-567-2900
December 16th, 7PM
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
150 W. Swedesford Road
Devon, PA
610-695-6612
Devon, PA 19333
You can order
Pelle Lindbergh: Behind the White Mask online at
Barnes & Noble, via
Amazon or through
Middle Atlantic Press.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
Join the Discussion:
»